FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Story by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Chris Seelman photo —
With now two days of the 18th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne in the history books, the action has gotten fiercer and the storylines even more varied as drivers have triumphed, come and gone.
Here’s a look at the headlines from Saturday at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum and Expo Center:
Big Names Out
Calamity was everywhere in the National Midget division on Saturday evening, with multiple big names either having problems or having to load up and go home entirely.
While young Grant Galloway was able to rebound from a heat race crash that destroyed his right front axle and two incidents between the consi and the feature to finish eighth at the end of the night, there were many others who were not as fortunate.
2015 Auto Value Super Sprints champion Aaron Pierce blew a motor in the main event and is done for the weekend, while Rumble rookies Brad Greenup and Austin Prock both notably departed Saturday night as well. Greenup’s car was damaged in a late-race caution in the feature after he led the first 26 laps, and Prock blew a motor in the second midget practice after early optimism about his Cornell Racing No. 8.
2002 winner Mike Fedorcak’s Munchkin was never able to turn a competitive lap after suffering mechanical troubles for a third straight year, and other notables who loaded up include defending race winner Brandon Knupp and Nick Hamilton, who was driving Mel Kenyon’s No. 61 and had a scavenge pump go bad on that machine.
Austin Nemire is back for day two, however his problems after his Saturday heat win included a missing plug wire that prevented him from being able to start the Saturday night main event after he transferred into the 16-car field.
Not Slowing Down
Russ Gamester broke his own record for being the oldest winner at the Rumble in Fort Wayne when he took the checkered flag Saturday night. The Peru, Indiana native was 48 years, 11 months and 18 days old for his first win in 2013 and moved the mark to the young age of 50 years, 11 months and 17 days old with his second career Rumble victory.
Gamester is one of only two drivers to have won in both the old Coliseum and the current Expo Center configuration.
His night ended much worse for the wear, though, with a scuffle on the frontstretch after he and Jason Ormsby were fighting for second in the non-winged 600cc midget main event, leading to Gamester flipping into the catch fence. That car was heavily damaged and will not return for Sunday competition.
One Last Time
Rich Corson made his 20th career Rumble in Fort Wayne A-Feature start on Saturday night, tying the “People’s Champion,” Dave Darland, for second on the all-time Rumble starts list.
He said after the race that this weekend will likely be his last.
After fighting through past health issues and coming back strong this year, Corson will look to put a bow on a hugely successful indoor racing career that includes two Rumble in Fort Wayne victories with one final feature start.
“I’m going to be up on the wheel [on Sunday], for sure,” the cagey veteran said. “I’ve done about all I can do. My goal for the day is to put it in the show one more time, and I’m hoping [Dave] Darland doesn’t make it, so I can pass him (in the record books).”
Changing Conditions
The concrete and coke syrup track inside the Coliseum went through a complete change from the beginning of the night to its finish on Saturday.
What began as a heavily-rubbered, nearly two-groove race track onSaturday afternoon evolved into a double-edged sword of a beast — with nearly no rubber in turns one and two remaining by the time action ended on Saturday night.
The lack of grip will make for interesting action on Sunday, according to multiple drivers that Race Chaser Online spoke to after the conclusion of Saturday’s racing program.
The Kart King Returns
Brandon Dunn returned to his winning ways at the Rumble in Fort Wayne on Saturday evening, taking two wins (Clone Medium and Clone Heavy) of the three features he entered.
His only blemish? A second-place effort in the Sr. Caged main event. That’s a stellar day.
Dunn’s two wins also moved him past brother Jason (10) and into a tie with Zach Axlen for the all-time Rumble wins record in go-kart action, with 11 career victories at Memorial Coliseum.
Sunday action for the 18th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne kicks off at 11 a.m. with a full program of heats, conoslation events and features for go-karts, quarter midgets, 600cc winged and non-winged midgets and the headlining National Midget division.
For more information on the event, including ticket pricing, event schedules for the two-day affair and more, visit www.rumbleseries.com.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 21-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: [email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
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